I'm in the same camp, I wouldn't bet the farm on solar as the only source of power for any solution but I do think that we are getting very close to the point where a couple different alternative sources will be able to charge or power small devices reliably. I think it is important that companies don't back themselves into a corner by choosing a single source.

No, I don't believe just solar will be the answer to our energy needs, but a combination of all the eco-friendly sources, including kinetic energy. But the way, last year I saw a video from a Chinese guy charging his iPhone with a bike using kinetic. Pretty amazing and of course, really handy.

See available new retail equipment at Canadaian Tire suitable for portable or transportatble application. At wilderness cottage with no a.c. power, two 15 w x solar panels on cottage roof, through a small controller, tickle charge two 12V marine or deep cycle batteries. This is enough to pwer cellular handhelds or walkie talkies or recharge them as required . New improved similar units are rated at 20 watts. There are also smaller units available. Watch for sale prices--15W units now on clerance at about $55 Can, each. A gain antenna may also cut down battery drain.

The solar power is promising but there is still far from perfect - its capacity is limited. The small solar battery is not enough to drive even a smartphone. For the soldiers, they need to carry rather heavy solar power package in the battlefield. But I think a small solar charger would be good to have in case you do no have power socket nearby to charge your smartphone.:-)

I've tried a solar charger in the past, back in the day when FEMA were urging everyone to have a family emergency survival kit. It was painfully slow. The technology is definitely improving. Hard to know what these units cost (they're still in protype), but I suspect it will be a while before the prices come down enough for consumers to consider buying one.

As InformationWeek Government readers were busy firming up their fiscal year 2015 budgets, we asked them to rate more than 30 IT initiatives in terms of importance and current leadership focus. No surprise, among more than 30 options, security is No. 1. After that, things get less predictable.